If you had an engine choice, which would you use? 360 or 5.3?

[fulsizjeep]

Wow, I did a mock up on the computer several years ago to see if I wanted to take it to a Wagoneer.

Jeff - next time you have a chance, get some under the hood shots please.

I would never put a bow tie in a Jeep. There are plenty of others exercising their rights to botch up, errr, I mean modernize a FSJ. It doesn't mean I have to go there.

[CJ the noisemaker]

Wow, I did a mock up on the computer several years ago to see if I wanted to take it to a Wagoneer.

Jeff - next time you have a chance, get some under the hood shots please.

I would never put a bow tie in a Jeep. There are plenty of others exercising their rights to botch up, errr, I mean modernize a FSJ. It doesn't mean I have to go there.

I'm wanting to make openings on my pignose for fog lights in the same area, didn't know it was done or thought of!

As for engines, I dislike the 350 just because everyone uses it in everything from boats to lawnmowers; However, we're talking about the 5.3 which seems like an okay engine. So for now I'll choose...

The 258.

[SNO*MAN]

Chevy Motor...

It seems the only unique thing in a FSJ seems to be the motor. The list for chevy ford and dodge related parts is a mile long on these things. If the AMC motor was so great they would still be in business.
I love the chevy steering column, chevy wheels, ford ignition, re-worked dodge transmission and who knows who dana's....
The loyalty to original as built is pathetic. I might put all the emblems on the grill.

[fulsizjeep]

That would depend on year built. There was a few Jeeps that were so unique they had Buick engines. Sure, FSJs are mutts with everyone elses parts, no big deal. I seriously doubt AMC would still be in business if they developed a "better" V8. They already had the best 6 banger IMO. I am pathetic.

It seems the only unique thing in a FSJ seems to be the motor. The list for chevy ford and dodge related parts is a mile long on these things. If the AMC motor was so great they would still be in business.
I love the chevy steering column, chevy wheels, ford ignition, re-worked dodge transmission and who knows who dana's....
The loyalty to original as built is pathetic. I might put all the emblems on the grill.

[billyj7175]

DTR...

The 5.3's are good motors...(heads especially), and much like the SBC, there are a ton available, and the choices for engine swap kits/tech-articles/how-to's are endless. But like every other motor on the planet, they too have their own unique issues (piston slap, intake vacuum leaks, knock sensor issues, etc).

[SEdmonds]

Flint - I'll be pathetic right there with you, buddy.

There were many reasons why AMC failed as a company. The strength of their engines (sixes or eights) wasn't one of them.

[Eugene 1]

I would run the AMC 360

[fsj1979]

Lots of the 5.3s have gone past 200,000 with no issues. My 4.8 (5.3s little brother) is sitting with 217,000 (give or take a couple of hundred) and has only needed a water pump replacement other than regular maintenance. Water pump cost $120. Aside from that (at over 100,000 miles) it's been very reliable.

I second that. After the swap in my Chief, all three of my vehicles now have 5.3's. I have a 2000 GMC Yukon XL. It has 138,000 miles and all I have done on it is a steering pump about a month ago and a fuel pump at 125,000 mi. Doesn't burn or leak a drop of oil and runs like the day we bought it. Far from expensive to maintain. I just put new spark plugs in for the first time this weekend and it did cost me about $80.00 for that. They didn't even look bad! I figure I'm good for another 130,000 now. My 2003 Silverado work truck, with about 2,000 lbs. of tools, has 89,000 miles and I have done nothing but drive it and do routine maintenance since I bought it in 05. These 2 vehicles are why I opted for the 5.3 in my Jeep. I now drive my Jeep as a daily driver and have 0 worries about arriving at my destination and making it back. I never felt that way about my 360, even after dumping over $700.00 into it. Best of all, I can say for sure it NEVER ran anything like the 5.3. Don't get me wrong, I have seen a properly built 360 run like a mad dog too, but for the money, it was a no brainer for me.
By-the-way, the fuel pumps are given a bad rap because people don't replace their filters often enough, so the pumps are overworked pushing fuel past the crap in the filter. I was guilty of this myself on the Yukon. When I took the old filter off after replacing the pump, I couldn't believe the amount of debris I shook out of it. The system is a loop system and is not hard on the pumps. WOW! I can really go on and on and on and on and on......Shutting up now.

[SEdmonds]

I would run the AMC 360

Eugene! How have you been? I see you moved north - were the winters in Kansas too mild? LOL How's that Yellow Chero?

[SNO*MAN]

Flint - I'll be pathetic right there with you, buddy.

There were many reasons why AMC failed as a company. The strength of their engines (sixes or eights) wasn't one of them.

You mean the lack of strength?

[fulsizjeep]

You mean the lack of strength?

Are you serious? I am having a hard time believing you are serious. Whatever dude...

[SEdmonds]

You mean the lack of strength?

Nope. Said it as I meant it. You're free to disagree, of course.

[grand_wag_85]

So for now I'll choose...

The 258.

They really did a great job with that engine then shot themselves in the feet with the Carter BBD and plastic valve covers. Just think of what could have been if they introduced the EFI 4.0 in 1980 into the FSJ, CJ, and AMC cars.

[orangecherokee]

I've never ran the 5.3 but my dad just purchased a truck with one in it. The fuel pump just took a crap and $240 he'll be back on the road.

I have ran the 360 with propane and continue to do so. The engine fires every time. Never had an issue, no freeze ups, no nothing. It was a night and day difference to what I was running before (Holley Pro-jection ). The propane requires zero wires and is always consistent. I do run 1 wire to my alternator and 1 for my HEI. Other than that it's just plug wires. I say for simplicity I'd stick with the 360. No rev limiter and plenty of grunt. All I've ever done to mine is go with an aluminum intake and propane. the rest is stock and it can still get it after 36 years

[Eugene 1]

Eugene! How have you been? I see you moved north - were the winters in Kansas too mild? LOL How's that Yellow Chero?

Doing Good Pmd You